Processing equipment

The adaptive mould

Curve Works uses a reconfigurable tool, or adaptive mould, to create double curved shapes from 3D drawings with a high surface quality, fast and efficiently. The digitally adjustable surface is a pin-based-mechanism for generating 3D surfaces from a computer aided design (CAD) input. A rubber interpolation layer on top of the pins allow a smooth free-formed surface.

The following specifications apply to the adaptive mould:

Temperature range:

We can process and cure materials up to 180oC

Accuracy:

Singly curved and shallow doubly curved shapes within ±1mm, complex doubly surfaces within ±2mm. Higher accuracies are being developed

Geometric constraints:

The minimum radius of curvature for single curved shapes is currently 400mm, which means that shapes having a similar of larger curvature will fulfill the criteria for moulding. The minimum radius of curvature increases for doubly curved shapes and is dependent on the complexity of the product.

Sizes:

Typically up to 3.60 x 1.56 m. Larger sizes are also possible depending on shape.

Our reconfigurable pin-based mechanism with deformable membrane allows forming of the following materials:

Fibre reinforced plastics

Thermoplastics

Solid surfaces

Fibre reinforced gypsum

into singly and doubly curved panels. In addition, we are able to perform vacuum infusion of fibre reinforced plastics.

Heating capabilities

We have a number of heating possibilities at Curve Works:

Surrounding the adaptive mould, we have built a large 30 kW oven for thermoforming and (post-) curing of panels. The oven is 6.25 x 3.5 x 2.0 m and can be opened and closed from the sides and ceiling. In this way we have full access to the mould and can heat the panels in-situ.